Open Country opens butter plant
When American retail giant Cosco came to audit Open Country Dairy’s new butter plant at the Waharoa site and give the green light to supply their American stores, they allowed themselves a week for the exercise.
Since their launch, specialist discussion groups Biz Start and Biz Grow, have attracted more than 500 dairy farm managers, sharemilkers and owners, who are keen to build their skills and progress their career in the dairy industry.
Attendees at one of the first Biz Grow groups, Russell and Charlotte Heald (lower order sharemilkers from Central Hawke's Bay) said the group was particularly good for meeting others who also want to get ahead and achieve more.
"It's good for networking and developing skills outside of the day-to-day farm work. We've now got better understanding in a range of areas, including managing multiple sharemilking jobs, human resources and staff issues, and cashflow budgeting – it's all good learning for the future," says Russell.
There are two groups catering for different career stages.
Biz Start is designed for lower order sharemilkers, herd managers and farm managers with content focused on building business and people management skills to equip them for senior level management positions or running their own farm business.
Biz Grow is designed for sharemilkers, equity partners or new farm owners. Sessions focus on strategic, financial and performance management skills and resources to equip participants for greater equity holding or owning their own farm business.
Groups will be available throughout the country depending on farmer interest. They use a discussion group format with participants meeting regularly during the year.
Practical exercises are a big part of the content, aimed at growing the skills and experience of participants, and the groups also interact with other farmers, rural professionals and industry experts.
www. dairynz.co.nz/progressiongroups
